Museum Will Display Librarian's Collection of History
By Ruth Lepper

This photo of Lewis and Myrtle Botts was taken in the late 1930s or early 1940s. Courtesy Julian Pioneer Museum

Myrtle Botts probably wasn't aware of it at the time, but she played an important role in Julian's history. Botts' career as the town librarian spanned three decades, from 1935 until her retirement in 1965.

During that time, she amassed an extensive collection of photographs, newspaper articles, certificates of commendation and letters. She kept numerous albums with her collections in tact. Now it has become the property of Julian Pioneer Museum, a gift from Botts' daughter, Jeri Botts Wright, of San Diego.

A display of the memorabilia will be placed on special exhibit in January and will be featured at the museum for most of the year, according to curator Edwina Silbernagel. Following the exhibit, the collection will be placed in the museum's permanent archives.

It was through Silbernagel's interest in Botts that led to a meeting with Wright and culminated in the donation to the museum. Some of the items in the collection will be shared with Julian Woman's Club, Julian Chamber of Commerce and the local branch of the county library.

Botts' retirement certificate from the county and a photograph of Botts and her daughter will be displayed at the library. Wright is credited with starting the library here when she was a teenager.

Her private collection of books was kept in a shoebox and she would often loan them to others in town. Botts took over the "lending library" and it later became a branch of the county library. The first official library was set up in an office adjacent to the Town Hall.

As a member of Julian Woman's Club, Botts started the annual Wildflower Show in 1926, an event that continues today. One of the albums in the collection is filled with several colorful photos of the Julian Wildflower Show.

Another item in the collection is a pet chipmunk, mounted on a small branch by a taxidermist.

"Myrtle had gotten very attached to this chipmunk," Silbernagel said. "She trained him. There are pictures of her with the little chipmunk."

During World War II, Botts volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol, keeping a watch over Julian for unfamiliar aircraft flying overhead. The collection includes certificates, a badge and book showing the various types of airplanes.

A ledger of board minutes from the Julian Mutual Improvement Association is an essential part of the town's history, according to Silbernagel. The association was the forerunner to Julian Chamber of Commerce.

"It starts in 1909 and goes to the beginning of the chamber in 1931," she said.

Early meetings covered road improvements involving connections between Julian and Ramona, Ranchita, Brawley and El Centro. The county Board of Supervisors was involved in many of the discussions to improve connecting rural roads.

Membership in the Julian Mutual Improvement Association was 50 cents. Another item in the minutes dealt with members behind in their dues. It was decided to "appoint two or three good-looking young ladies to interview the delinquent members." The result: a committee consisting of five women was appointed to take care of the job.

Julian Pioneer Museum is owned by the county and operated by Julian Woman's Club. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays at 2811 Washington St. For more information about the Botts collection and other exhibits on display, Silbernagel can be reached at 760-765-0227.